Saturday, October 5, 2019
2009 Stimulus Bill Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words
2009 Stimulus Bill - Research Paper Example The day that President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, he made a speech in Denver, which was city where he accepted the Democratic Partyââ¬â¢s nomination for the presidency. President Obama addressed the mayors regarding the stimulus plan and he highlighted the important aspects of the plan similar to his speech that he gave in Denver. President Obama had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada and took the opportunity, during the press conference to discuss the benefits of the stimulus plan. When Congress authorized the $787 billion economic stimulus package, not one House Republican voted for the stimulus plan. House Minority Leader John Boehner indicated that the plan would only make larger bureaucracies and not create jobs. Bill overview The American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill was the first essential step by the government to produce and preserve three to four million jobs, start up the economy, and start transforming the economy for the 21st c entury with $787.2 billion in economic improvement tax cuts and directed priority investments (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan allows for unparalleled supervision, responsibility, and clearness to make certain that taxpayer dollars are invested successfully and efficiently (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). ... The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan seeks to put individuals in employment to cut down Americaââ¬â¢s reliance on foreign oil by strengthening attempts aimed at increasing renewable energy manufacture and modernize public structures to make them more energy efficient.à (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). The plan will invest more than $30 billion to alter the countryââ¬â¢s energy diffusion, delivery, and creation systems and investing $5 billion to weatherize middle class homes (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). The stimulus plan will invest $15 billion for science facilities, research, and instrumentation and $7.2 billion to expand broadband internet access in attempt to help companies compete in a global economy.à (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will invest $27.5 billion for highway construction, $16.5 billion to renew federal and other public infrastructure, $18.8 billion for clean water, flood control, and environmental restoration, and $17.7 billion for transportation initiatives to cut down traffic congestion and gas use (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). To facilitate children to be taught in 21st century schoolrooms, the stimulus plan will invest $26 billion in school districts, $53.6 billion in state fiscal aid to avoid cutbacks to vital services, and $15.6 billion to enlarge the Pell grant (Summary of Economic Stimulus Bill, 2009). In an effort to keep jobs, money, and lives, the stimulus plan will invest $19 billion for health information technology to avert medical errors, supply enhanced care to patients and establish cost-saving efficiencies and $2 billion to offer preventative care and to assess the most efficient healthcare treatments (Summary of Economic
Friday, October 4, 2019
The Accidental Tourist- Macon's Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
The Accidental Tourist- Macon's Change - Essay Example The novel is mainly based on Macon Leary and how his metamorphosis comes about. How one deals with death and tragedy matters a lot, Macon loses his son in a shoot-out so he is clearly shown as a devastated man, the same also affects his marriage with his life and they decide to separate. The process of reconciliation is important, initially Macon does not want to be friendly with anyone, he is hostile and extremely upset because he loses his son but he later changes his attitude and adapts well in-spite of his great loss. Sarah and Muriel are the two love interests in the life of Macon, Muriel is his lover in the novel and Sarah is his wife. Some very interesting and important sequences of events happen in Paris. Macon gets injured in Paris in the novel, his back gets badly hurt and Sarah looks after him. He gets to juxtapose the qualities of the two women this time around, in doing so he finds that he is really uncomfortable with Sarah and he has to be someone else when he is with h is wife Sarah. On the other hand he finds life to be rosy when he is with Muriel; he is really comfortable when she is around. This makes a lot of difference in how events unfold in the novel, Macon also changes a lot after he notices such fine differences in the two women in his life. ââ¬Å"In spite of Murielââ¬â¢s difference from Macon in age, class, and outlook on life, once Macon has admitted to her his pain over Ethanââ¬â¢s death, he comes to realize, that she too, has been hurt in her life, that he is not the only person ever to feel pain.â⬠(The Accidental Tourist) Macon changes and finds that even though Muriel is eccentric she is much different from Sarah and he falls for her. "Now that Ethan's dead I sometimes wonder if there's any point to life," Macon responds, "It never seemed to me there was all that much point to begin with."à (The Accidental Tourist) The way Sarah dealt with the loss of their child was extremely different from the way Macon dealt with t he loss, the differences between the two most important characters of the novel are very important to observe to be able to determine the extent of change Macon went through in the novel. ââ¬Å"When Macon is with Muriel he is not detached and cold; he gradually comes to see other people in the world not as faceless mobs of people but as individuals doing the best they can to get through lifeâ⬠(The Accidental Tourist) Macon realizes the differences between Sarah and Muriel; he wanted to start a relationship with Muriel in-spite of their differences. There were quite a few differences between the two, their age was not ideal nor was anything else, both belonged to different cultures and Sarah had even pointed out the changes but they complimented each other well. ââ¬Å"He had not taken steps very often in his lifeà . . . all seemed to have simply befallen him.à He couldnââ¬â¢t think of a single major act he had managed of his own accord.à Was it too late to begin?à Was there any way he could learn to do things differently.â⬠(The Accidental Tourist) Macon finally realized that Muriel was the woman who brought the best out of him each day and he can be happy should he decide to stay with Muriel. His outlook towards life changed because of Muriel, with Sarah he was a very different person and with Muriel he was another person. ââ¬Å"
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Airline industry analysis by Porters Five Forces Essay Example for Free
Airline industry analysis by Porters Five Forces Essay The Airline industry provides a very unique service to its customers. It transports people with a high level of convenience and efficiency that cannot not be provided by any other industry or substitute. Airline companies pride themselves on the way they treat their customer during the flight. They have things such as food, drinks, entertainment, and a welcoming staff. The service of transportation is provided in other industries but the airline surpasses all of them when it comes to timeliness. The geographic scope of the airline industry is at a global level. Some firms are able to fly their planes all over the world while others focus on smaller geographic areas. The five forces model is one way to answer the first basic question in strategic management; ââ¬Å"Why are some industries more attractive than others?â⬠This model shows the five forces that shape industry competition; threat of new entrants, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitutes, bargaining power of suppliers, and competitors. In order to analyze the airline industry we have look at each of these forces. Bargaining power of Buyers The airline industry is made up of two groups of buyers. First, there are individual flyers. They buy plane tickets for a number of reasons that can be personal or business related. This group is extremely diverse; most people in developed countries have purchased a plane ticket. They can do this through the specific airline or through the second group of buyers; travel agencies and online portals. This buyer group works as a middle man between the airlines and the flyers. They work with multiple airline firms in order to give customers the best flight possible. Between these two groups there is definitely a large amount of buyers compared to the number of firms. There are low switching costs between firms because many people choose the flight based on where they are going and the cost at the time. This is some loyalty to firms but not enough for high switching costs. Each customer needs a lot of important information. They need to know the details of whatà is provided during the flight. Buyers need to understand the timing of the flight and the safety aspects of flying in general. The service provided is unique. Each airline has a niche. Some airlines focus on cost, while others focus on having the best amenities, etc. Overall the bargaining power of buyers has an extremely low threat in this industry. Bargaining Power of Suppliers Next we look at the bargaining power of the suppliers. In this case the major suppliers are the airplane manufacturers. The top two manufacturers in the world currently are Boeing and Airbus(Odell,Mark). In this industry the inputs are extremely standardized. Airline companies only seem to differentiate with amenities. The planes are very similar. Currently some manufacturers are trying to make their plans more ecofriendly. Airline companies cannot easily switch suppliers. Most firms have long term contracts with their suppliers. Planes are such high capital products that firms probably make long term loan agreements and have more favorable credit terms when they donââ¬â¢t switch companies. It is difficult to enter into the plane manufacturing industry because of the capital needed to enter. The amount of money and expertise needed to make even one plane is around 200 million dollars. For this reason there are very few suppliers in the airline industry. Airline firms are the only source of income for these manufacturers so their business is extremely important. Based on these things the bargaining power of suppliers has a low threat as well. Threat of New Entrants Threat of new entrants is another major aspect of the five forces. This aspect has a low threat for the airline industry. There are two aspects that do however raise the threat level. First, there are extremely low switching costs. Second, there are no proprietary products or services involved. Even with these two aspects the industry still has a very low threat overall. Existing firms have a large cost advantage. This industry requiresà a large amount of capital and without a strong customer base there will be little to no profit in the first few years. Existing firms can and will use their high capital to retaliate against newer firms with whatever means necessary such as lowering prices and taking a loss. Although there are low switching costs between brands, consumers tend to only chose well-known names. Airline tickets are expensive so people donââ¬â¢t want to give that money to firms they donââ¬â¢t trust. There is also a huge safety aspect involved and most consumers feel safer with firms that have been around for a long period of time. This industry requires plane and flying experience which also lowers the threat of entry. When firms decide to enter the market they first have to become licensed which can take about a year. After that they are constantly being regulated by several organizations such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation. The time and money spend to solely open an airline company is enough to prevent most people from entering the industry. Threat of Substitutes After looking at the threat of entry it is important to also consider the threat of substitutes. This industry has a medium substitute risk level. There are substitutes in the airline industry. Consumers can choose other form of transportation such as a car, bus, train, or boat to get to their destination. There is however a cost to switch. Some means of transportation can be more costly than a plane ticket. The main cost is time. Planes are by far the fastest form of transportation available. Airlines surpass all other forms of transportation when it comes to cost, convenience, and sometimes service. Consumers do sometimes choose other methods for various reasons such as cost if they are not traveling very far which raises the risk. Rivalry among Existing Players The last area of the five forces is the rivalry among existing players. The rivalry in the airline industry is very intense for many reasons. The industry is currently very stagnant. It seems to be in the mature stage of the business cycle. The number of competitors stays the same in the long runà and it doesnââ¬â¢t seem to be under or over capacitated. The fixed costs are extremely high in this industry. This makes it hard to leave the industry because they are probably in long term loan agreements in order to stay in business. The products involved or the planes are highly complex which also heightens the competition. The competition is lessened by the brand identities of different firms. For example, Jetblue is known for its amenities and Southwest is known for its low prices. The market share seemed to be equally distributed because each company has its own part of the market and because switching costs are low none of the firms can really hold a large percentage of the market. The strongest forces in this industry are the competition of existing firms and the power of suppliers. The rivalry of existing players is high and will push out any firm that doesnt have enough capital. Suppliers are strong forces because planes are so costly to make. If the suppliers changed the credit terms by even a small amount it could mean a significant loss for the firm. On the other hand the other forces involved seem to have a weak threat. It is costly and time consuming to enter the market which lowers the risk of entry. Buyers have a weak force because of the low switching costs and substitutes are weak because they are usually too costly. The profit in this industry is high because for most people flying in necessary. It is not a trend which makes this industry profitable for the long term. Airlines that are more profitable are in a better position because they usually have more planes and a larger variety of flights which provides further convenience for the consumer. Recently there have been some changes in some of the forces. Some airplane manufacturers have been making ecofriendly planes, which is a change in the bargaining power of suppliers. This would differentiate the products, raising the threat of suppliers. Another recent change is the use of web portals such as Expedia to book flights. This positive change creates a whole new group of buyers and makes purchasing flights faster and easier. The increase in gas prices has also been a positive change for the industryà because it lessens the power of substitutes. People are more willing to fly to their destination if driving would be more expensive. After looking at the Five Forces Model firms should make dealing with the competition their main priority. The other areas in the model seem to have an overall low threat so existing firms donââ¬â¢t have to focus on those areas as much in their business strategy. Now that we have brought you through our Porters Five Force analysis, the last thing that is important to consider when exploring an industry, are the dominant economic features. The next section of our report will give you an overview of what features affect the airline industry most.
Application of Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)
Application of Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) Leslie Bruchey Elements of the Professional Nursing Role Nursing care is provided in all hospitals, in different states, different countries with different practices. But with that being said, the nursing process using NANDA ââ¬âI Taxonomy of Nursing diagnoses, the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) and Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) can provide some standards in care where it is received. Throughout this paper, we will discuss a clinical case that uses these tools in providing care and looking at the patient outcome and discuss the systems that were in place. Clinical Encounter This patient was admitted to a medical surgical unit with the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, shortness of breath and pain with inspiration, atrial fibrillation and MRSA in the urine. Patientââ¬â¢s other history included chronic kidney disease, oxygen dependent at home and a low ejection fraction. With this being said, this patient had several things happening, but was being treated with antibiotics and Cardizem to control A-Fib. In the middle of the night, the patient was a rapid response for hypotension and moved to the intensive care. Because of a previous echo that revealed the patientââ¬â¢s EF was only 12%, large fluid boluses were not really an option to treat hypotension. The hypotension was caused by a few different reasons, the nurse in med surg had given this patient multiple blood pressure medications, and the critical care doctor felt that she was becoming septic due to her presentation. Also, the critical care doctor decided that the patient needed a stat VQ scan to rule out the possibility of a pulmonary embolism. The patient results concluded that there was a high probability of a pulmonary embolism which warranted the patient to be placed on IV heparin, have a venous ultrasound of her legs and an echo. These tests reviewed no clots in her legs or heart. With heparin, a PT/INR was drawn for baseline and then a hep xa was drawn every 6 hours until the heparin was therapeutic. A BNP and CBC were drawn to monitor blood cell counts and a central line was placed and the patient was placed on Levophed to prevent hypotension for a few hours. After a few hours, the patient was able to keep blood pressure controlled without medications. Antibiotics were continued as patients WBCââ¬â¢s were 14000 and the patient was continuously monitored in the ICU for a few days. CVPââ¬â¢s were measured at 5 and urine output was monitored closely. Nursing Diagnosis This patient had multiple nursing diagnosesââ¬â¢ that fit her condition. One of the diagnoses that fit this patient is decreased cardiac output. With the patient being in A-fib and with an EF of only 12% this patient does not have optimal cardiac output. The patient also prevents with hypotension which is believed to may have been caused by medications that effect preload and afterload which will also decrease the cardiac output of this patient. This diagnosis is a part of NANDA- I Taxonomy of Nursing Diagnoses and falls under domain 4 Activity and Rest and class 4 which discusses Cardiovascular/ Pulmonary Responses (NANDA, 2012). Nursing Interventions Classification Interventions The following are nursing interventions that were used on this patient using the NIC (Nursing Interventions Classification). Hemodynamic Regulation (4150) Definition: ââ¬Å"Optimization of heart rate, preload, afterload and contractilityâ⬠(Bulechek, Butcher, Dochterman, 2008) Ways to intervene: Patient was placed on a presser, i.e Levophed to cause vasoconstriction and promote an increase in blood pressure A small 250ml fluid bolus was given prior to coming to the intensive care unit The patient was placed on hemodynamic monitoring to check central venous pressures and allowed us to monitor fluid status Medication parameters were in place for medications that would effect HR, preload, afterload Oxygen Therapy (3320): Definition: ââ¬Å"Administration of oxygen and monitoring of its effectivenessâ⬠(Bulechek, Butcher, Dochterman, 2008) Ways to intervene: Oxygen provided by nasal cannula was titrated by oxygen saturation, patient was on 3L. Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring by a pulse ox on the finger. Respirations and patient comfort were also monitored, i.e. no shortness of breath or trouble breathing. Urinary Catheterization (0580): Definition: ââ¬Å"Insertion of a catheter into the bladder for temporary or permanent drainage of urineâ⬠(Bulechek, Butcher, Dochterman, 2008). Ways to intervene: Foley was placed to monitor urine output. Output was monitored to check fluid balance because of patientââ¬â¢s history of CKD, the MRSA infection and having a low ejection fraction. The catheter was temporary and was used for strict input and output. Family Presence Facilitation (7170): Definition: ââ¬Å"Facilitation of the familyââ¬â¢s presence in support of an individual undergoing resuscitation and or invasive proceduresâ⬠(Bulechek, Butcher, Dochterman, 2008). Ways to intervene: Family contacted because patient was moved to intensive care and needed a emergent central line placement. Patient was extremely anxious and requested that we contact her family to come in for needed support. Family came in and educated on what happened and any other information that was needed at that time. Nursing Outcomes Classification Outcomes Now that we have defined a nursing diagnosis and provided some interventions that this patient needed, it is time to discuss the patient outcome. These interventions help the patient achieve multiple goals and as a nurse, all of our interventions help us improve patient outcomes. This patient has multiple nursing diagnoses, but because decreased cardiac output was addressed, the outcome will be as follows: Cardiac Pump Effectiveness (0400) Definition: ââ¬Å"Adequacy of blood volume ejected from the left ventricle to support systemic perfusion pressureâ⬠(Moorhead, Johnson, Maas, Swanson, 2008). The patient will be able to maintain blood pressure without pressers. Patient will have a follow up echo that showed her ejection fraction was 45%. Patient will have adequate urine output. CVP measurements will be within normal limits. Patient will have activity tolerance when getting out of bed and ambulating around room. Patient will continue outpatient rehab to rebuild strength over time. Advantages and Disadvantages The nursing process allows for a standard of care to be provided anywhere that a nurse cares for a patient. With being able to identify what the patients problems are through a nursing diagnosis, we are able to next focus on the interventions that best fit and will provide the best patient outcome. When looking at a patient, we all have our own outcomes that we want to achiever to better the patient. In the patient above, there are many problems that could results in a long list of nursing diagnoses. With being able to focus on one at a time, a nurse is able to think about the needed steps to achieve the positive outcome that we all look at. With using the NIC, NOC and NANDA-I, nurses anywhere are able to identify a problem, the steps to improve the problems and the hopefully outcome for this issue. While these tools help standardize care that nurses provide and focus on and to make sure that the needed interventions to improve the outcome are being performed and are being documented . It is important that the nurse can focus on the needs of the patient and to take credit for all the important things we do during our time with a patient. I also think the nursing process is great for other disciplines to look out what nursing is focusing on and also may help guide the rest of the care that is provided. With this documenting process and just using in the clinical setting, newer nursing can use it to help focus the care their patients may need. These tools are a great resource for nurses but they do have some disadvantages. In day to day care in the nursing realm, these tools are a great resource, but in reality are hard to find time to access and continually document on them. I have seen these types of programs being used in the clinical setting and because nurses are busy, some just copy and paste the same thing over and over day to day. This does not show how we are intervening to meet the outcome. If used right, it is a great tool, but there are a lot of nurses that look at it as just another silly hoop to jump through during patient care and just another thing to document. Some nurses do not take the time to think about what interventions would help our patients. Also, I think that the various lists are good; however, sometimes it is hard to find the exact name of the intervention that we want to use. It takes time to look through the list to find the exact intervention or outcome that best fits out patient needs. Also, it would be hard to get all nurses on board to document with this type of syste m because some are resistant to change and others just are already overwhelmed with the amount of documentation that is required throughout the day. Conclusion The NIC, NOC and NANDA-I Taxonomy of Nursing Diagnoses are a great guide for standard nursing care. Anyone can use these documents to help focus the care their patients need. I believe documenting to nursing process throughout this system will allow for better patient outcomes to continuously reevaluate what the patientsââ¬â¢ needs are and what is going on with a patient. Other disciplinary team members would be able to look at what the problems nursing are focusing on and see where they can help support that patients care. Overall, the standardized care would support patient outcomes and allow for nurses to focus on what they can do, improving the patients care by identifying problems, inventions and outcomes. References Bulechek, G.M., Butcher, H. K., Dochterman, J.C. (Eds.). (2008). Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Moorhead, S., Johnson, M., Maas, M., Swanson, E. (Eds.) (2008). Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby/Elsevier. NANDA International. (2012). NANDA international nursing diagnoses: Definitions classification 2012-2014. T.H. Herdman, (ED.). Kaukauna, WI: Author.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
European Commissionââ¬â¢s Proposal on Software Patents :: Technology Computers Essays
European Commissionââ¬â¢s Proposal on Software Patents The European Commission should maintain and clarify its limitations on patents for software, to fight against American mega companies attempting to globally monopolize software, to avoid the mistakes the United States has made, and to potentially let Europe emerge as a software mecca, where software can continue to make significant advancements. This viewpoint can be supported with several ethical considerations, including Ethical Egoism, Utilitarianism, and Pluralism. General View on Software Patents Purpose of a Patent Patents have a dual role in our society. An invention or new creation should be shared with the public and peers to enrich the public body of technical knowledge. In return, society rewards inventors for their efforts by giving a monopolistic control over the invention. In general, patents cover a practical implementation of an idea, as in a product, and not the idea itself. The patent system is in place to promote innovation. Patents on Software Merriam-Webster defines software as, ââ¬Å"something used or associated with and usually contrasted with hardware: as: the entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation associated with a system and especially a computer system; specifically : computer programs.â⬠[1] Britannica Encyclopedia defines software as, ââ¬Å"instructions that tell a computer what to do.â⬠[2] These definitions of software as a set of instructions, or an associated part with hardware, immediately differentiate it from your typical invented product. By itself you do not have a product, yet United States case law has contended that once you put that software on a disc, you do have a product. Patents have been crucial to distributing your typical technical innovation. Software has no such limitation. Software ideas and innovations have spread quickly through the public domain of information. Some reasons for software distributing so quickly is its relative immaturity as a science and engineering practice, extensive freely distribution from universities, and a near direct fiscal value in general acceptance and use of a software concept[3]. Software innovation has flourished under the general availability of software code, concepts, and tools. Additionally, software is developed incrementally, building quickly on existing concepts. In general, the patent system has been shown to slow the development of incrementally developing technologies such as software[4]. Some Good Software Patents Very carefully reviewed, and perhaps shorter duration software patents could benefit innovation. A software implementation that might otherwise be kept hidden behind trade secret in a company could be revealed to the public for an exchange of monopolistic control.
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Life of the Soul Revealed in Sailing to Byzantium and Shadows Essay
Life of the Soul Revealed in Sailing to Byzantium and Shadowsà à à à à à The view of death from an aged individual can be one of acceptance of his lifeââ¬â¢s end or one of mystified wonder over the immortality of the soul. Both William Butler Yeats and David Herbert Lawrence take the latter view in their respective poems, "Sailing to Byzantium" and "Shadows." By viewing death as a continuation of their soulââ¬â¢s life in a different realm of being, they provide a comforting solution to the fear that death may be the end of their existence. In W.B. Yeatsââ¬â¢ "Sailing to Byzantium" and D.H. Lawrence's "Shadows," death is addressed from the viewpoint of one preparing for its eminent arrival; Yeats, however, expresses the belief that he can live forever when his soul becomes a form of art whereas Lawrence states that death delivers him "to the hands of God to send [him] forth as a new man." "Sailing to Byzantium" presents the end of a manââ¬â¢s journey through life in which he yearns to, "once out of nature," be cast in gold as a work of art. By using the motif of a journey to parallel the end of oneââ¬â¢s life, Yeats presents Byzantium as the ultimate destination for his mundane body. He contrasts the "holy city of Byzantium" with the country for the young, a land which he has now departed. In the land of the young, "the aged man is but a paltry thing" who is out of place among those who are "caught in the sensual music." The knowledge that comes with age, including the respect for things immortal, causes the traveler to leave the place that "neglect[s] monuments of unageing intellect." The realization that life is ephemeral is a divisor separating those who reside in the land of the "caught" young and those who exhibit free action by traveling... ... Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 128-132. Holdberg, Michael. " ââ¬ËSailing to Byzantiumââ¬â¢: A New Source and a New Reading." English Language Notes VII (1974): 111-116. Macheice, Louis. "The Ash of Poetry." The Poetry of W.B. Yeats. London: Oxford University Press, 1941. 139-141. Olson, Elder. " ââ¬ËSailing to Byzantiumââ¬â¢: Prolegomena to a Poetic of the Lyric." University Review VIII (1912): 257-269. Panichas, George A. "Voyage of Oblivion." Critics on D.H. Lawrence. Ed. W. T. Andrews. Coral Gables: University of Miami Press, 1971. 121-123. Perloff, Marjorie. "The Rhyme Structure of the Byzantium Poems." Rhyme and Meaning in the Poetry of Yeats. Mouton & Co.: Paris, 1970. 122-131. Young, David. "Byzantium and Back." Trouble Mirror: A Study of Yeatsââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËThe Tower.ââ¬â¢ Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 1987. 14-29. à Ã
Machiavelli, A Founding Father?
Machiavelli advocated centralization and concentration of power in The Prince while the authors of the Federalist Papers call for the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances.à The Prince, however, was a job application to Lorenzo di Medici the son of Piero di Medici.à Lorenzo had just inherited the principality ofà Florence by settlement of a war with the Pope and his mercenaries ( Lerner xxvii) in 1512. Machiavelli, was however, not as alien to the ideas of the Convention espoused by the various à Federalist Papers.à à For much of his life he was staunchly republican in his outlook; the loss of the Florentine Republic and his position as an advisor to the powerful were powerful motivators to write a pro-monarchy text to regain his former position in the new state.( Lerner xxviii) During this imposed exile from the halls of power Machiavelliââ¬â¢s works included the Discourses, an analysis of the Roman Republic, its power structure, and its defects.à In The Discourses Machiavelli is plainly pro-republic, though he also manages to treat the issue of a monarchy as well.à Machiavelliââ¬â¢s ideas are included to some degree in the Federalist Papers and the Constitution of the United States. Machiavelli, Hamilton, Jay, and Madison would all find agreement in some of the most important aspects of the governing of a Republic; including the use of a standing army and the separation of powers. Standing Army The issue of a standing army was a touchy one for the convention.à The military was part of the executive power and a standing army could be abused.à Indeed he warns of this in Federalist #8 : But in a country, where the perpetual menacings of danger oblige the government to always be prepared to repel it, her armies are must be numerous enough for instant defence.â⬠à à The importance of the of the soldier is enhanced and the military state is elevated above the civil. In territories that are often the theatre of war , are unavoidably subjected to frequent violation of their rights; and by degrees the people come to consider the soldier their superiors. ( #8, p35)However , the Convention left the raising of regular troops solely under the authority ofà Congress, and not the President. Thusà they are under the control of the people; the Congress shall decide when a standing military is necessary; before a President has them to Command.à Hamilton says that the power to maintain a standing army in time of peace is a necessary caution given the fact that the Dominions of Britain and Spain border the fledgling nation.(#24, p120). Machiavelli would agree: ââ¬Å"Such princes and republics of modern times as have no national troops for defense or attack ought well to be ashamed of itâ⬠¦.â⬠(prince 175) and I conclude, therefore, that no principality is secure without having its own forcesâ⬠(Prince pg 52-53) Separation of Powers The separation of powers has been regarded as the hallmark of republican principles.à The separation of power among three distinct branches of government prevents any one person from acting as ââ¬Å"legislator, judge, and executioner.â⬠à In this way the abuse of power leading to Tyranny is avoided. Machiavelli states much the same in The Discourses: ALL those who have written upon civil institutions demon- strate (and history is full of examples to support them) that whoever desires to found a state and give it laws, must start with assuming that all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature, whenever they may find occasion for it. ( 117) An early form of the system checks and balances was the formation of the Tribunes in the Roman Republic.à The Tribunes served to act as a sort of Legislative judge curbing and investigating alleged excesses by the Senators of Rome.( Machiavelli, ââ¬Å"Discoursesâ⬠, 118)à The Convention went further; it gave executive authority to the President, but withheld the purse, and it gave the Sword to Congress but required the Executive to wield it, and gave the Law to Congress but allowed both the Justice and Executive to disapprove it, gave Congress the means to remove an executive or a justice from office, but made the members of Congress answerable to the whole of the People. Madison says that ââ¬Å"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judicial in the same hands, whether of one, of few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of Tyranny.â⬠(Carey lxx)à à So both men believed that the separation of powers in a Republic is a fundamental principle defending the liberty of the citizen.à à à à Both men also believed that the authority of the supreme executive should to some respect be stronger than that of the regional powers. While the Federal system resembles more closely the ââ¬Å"Prince and Baronâ⬠model warned against by Machiavelli; through well-thought out assignment of the powers to the Federal Government the position of the regional powers (Governors of the States) approach the ââ¬Å"Prince and Servantsâ⬠model advocated by him.à The Convention took the middle ground with the powers of the Executive (federal) being supreme only in its assigned sphere and that of the regional to be supreme within its own sphere.à Conflicts between States and the Federal authority were to be resolved by the Supreme Court.à Therefore no one State was in a position to help outside enemies to oppose the Federal government, but simultaneously the Federal authority could not rule by fiat as a Prince might have done. Conclusion: So which model was more capable of maintaining order and curtailing disorder from below?à History seems to indicate that the careful checks and balances and the general separation of powers have been more enduring than a centralized Monarchy.à France proved the wisdom of the system of checks and balances when the National Assembly seized all power for the purpose of reforming the government.à This attempt, while its aims were noble, failed catastrophically and subjected the People of France to a series of tyrants, emperors, and various violations of their civil liberties for nearly a century. Absolute Monarchy as Machiavelli said, is stable only so long as the ruler is ruthless when necessary and is either loved or feared by its people.à The problem seems to be that this merely builds up pressure in the people; who will begin to rebel the moment any hesitation by the monarch is shown either internally or through circumstance such as war.à This process happened on a world-wide scale and was experienced by Britain, France, Egypt, Iran, and may be happening now in Saudi Arabia and the Emirates of the Middle East. Machiavelli states that all laws of liberty come from the open opposition in the legislature between two classes; the Nobles and the People.(Machiavelli,à ââ¬Å"Discoursesâ⬠, p119)à The constitution eliminated the Nobility but a similar problem of factions: Those who have power, those who want power, those who want to oppress.à In a similar fashion to the Tribunes of Rome the various divisions of power executive, legislative, judicial, the National, and the Regional allow open discussion and opposition without providing any overt favor to one faction over another;( Madison, ââ¬Å"Federalist #10â⬠, pp 42-48) ensuring that laws of liberty continue to come from the discourses of those vying for power. ( Madison, ââ¬Å"Federalist #10â⬠, pp42-48) The Republican ideas that Machiavelli held and published in his works might well mark him as one of the founders ofà the modern republic along with Locke, Montesque, and the other Enlightenment philosophers. Works Cited Carey, George W. and James McClellan. Readerââ¬â¢s Guide. The Federalist. Byà Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Indianapolis:à Liberty Fund 2001 Hamilton, Alexander, John Jay, and James Madison. The Federalist. Ed. George W. Carey and James McClellan. The Gideon Edition. Indianapolis:à Liberty Fund 2001 Learner, Max. Introduction.à The Prince and the Discourses. By Niccolo Machiavelli. New York: Random House 1950 Machiavelli, Niccolo. ââ¬Å"The Princeâ⬠. Ed. E.R.P Vincent. Trans. Luigi Ricci. The Prince and the Discourses. New York: Random House 1950 Machiavelli, Niccolo. ââ¬Å"The Discoursesâ⬠.à Trans. Christian E. Detmold. The Prince and the Discourses. New York: Random House 1950 à à Ã
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